Syracuse's Fab Melo to enter NBA draft

Syracuse center Fab Melo is entering the NBA draft after a breakout season in which he twice got held out because of eligibility issues.

View full sizeAssociated PressIn this Jan. 14, 2012, file photo, Syracuse's Fab Melo dunks against Providence during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Syracuse, N.Y.

The 7-foot sophomore from Brazil made the announcement Thursday. He averaged 7.8 points and 5.8 rebounds for Syracuse (34-3) this past season. He led the Big East in blocks per game and was named the conference's defensive player of the year.

Melo missed three games in late January due to an academic issue, was reinstated, and just before the start of the NCAA tournament was ruled ineligible again and did not play another game.

The Orange, the East's top seed, still advanced to the round of eight before a loss to Ohio State deprived them of a berth in the Final Four.